Toy projectile with parachute



Aug. 6, 1929. R. M. FERRILL TOY PROJECTILE WITH PARACHUTE Filed March 7, V1927 Y 9mm. I?. M. Ferr] Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES RICHARD M. FEERILL, OF BER-MINGHAM,

ALABAIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEO. 35T. LEMMON, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

TOY PROJECTILE V/'ITH PARACHUTE.

Application filedk March 7,

This invention relates to a toy projectile with a parachute securei thereto in a closed poshlon, preferably at the back of a miniature image ot a man, in combination with 5 means which act automatically, when the toy has been propelled upward through the air yto a desired height for opening the parachute to permit a slow down travel ot' the toy toward the ground.

One object of my invention is to provide a simple means for timing the opening ot the parachute after the toy has been projected, a special feature ot this timing means being that :it will adjust itsel't automatically l5 to the torce by which the toy is propelled, thereby causing the parachute to open near the top oi the toys 'flightwhether it be high or low.

A further object of. my invention is to provide a. toy projectile having a parachute attached thereto, together with resilientl releasable means ter holding the parachute in it'olded position during a part ot its flight, and timing mechanism for tripping the releasable means while the projectile is in flight.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a toy which is inexpensive, simple in construction and will not readily get out oi order.

My invention comprises 'further novel features, details of construct-ion and combination 01"' parts, as will be hereinafter' set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed. 1?'5 In the draw*- Fig. l is a cross-sectional View illustrating the arrangement et parts prepara-tory to projecting the toy with the j nrraclnjite folded.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View ot the toy descending through the air with the par#- chute open.

Referring to the drawing in which similar numerals ot reference indicate the same parts, the miniature image of a man 3 is molded or termed trom any inexpensive material or composition and provided with a hole l to receive a tube containing a piston G having a piston rod 7 and a com` pression spring S. A U-shapeifl spring meinber t), like a mouse trap spring having ends l secured to the image 3, is employed to hold the parachute ll in a closed position when the transverse portion of the spring member 9 is engaged by the catch lever l2 -and the catch 13. The yparachute strings or Serial No. 173,471.

cords la are connected to the transverse portion ot the spring member 9 so that when .the spring is released and snaps from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that in Fig. 2, the parachute is thrown outwardly and upwardly and caused to open immediately. The device is operated by fastening one end ol au elastic band l to a throwing stick i6 and engaging its other end to a hook eye screw 17 in the head of the image 3. By holding the throwing stick firmly in one hand nd grasping the piston rod 7, the latter will be pulled down against the spring S and put the latter under tension corresponding in degree to the torce exerted on the toy to propel it thereby varying the movement ot the piston and, as hereinafter described, automatically timing the opening of the paracluite.

During the up flight ot the toy pr jectile the contracted spring 8 is tree to exert its energy in moving the piston G toward the normal position (Fig. 2), but such motion will be counteracted by the air tra]L ped in the upper end of the tubeI 5 and which is allowed to escape slowly through a vent '18 in the upper end ot the tube 5 and then through a larger vent 19 to the atmosphere. Near the completion ot the pistons up stroke, a iianoe 2O on the piston rod 7 enand releases the catch 13 which in turn releases the U-shaped spring member 9 and causes it to Hy up and jerk the cords le so as to open the paracl'iute. It will be readily observed that a heavy or light tension applied to the compression spring 8 in projecting` the toy automatically times the opening ofthe parachute in relation to the energy exerted to produce the toys flight.

Although I have described and illustrated ya particular design, construction and arrangements ot parts, I do not wish to be limited thereto except as noted in the ap pended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In combination with a toy projectile with a parachute,means tor producing flight ot the toy, automatic mechanical means for timing the opening' of the parachute directly proportional to the energy used to produce the toys Hight, and spring means for throw-y ing the opening parachute outwardly and upwardly from the toy.

2. In combination With a icy project With a parachute, nieans for producing` fhg of `he oy, automatic mechanical ineans for timing the opening of the parachue in relation to the energy used to produce the oys Hight, said nieans comprising` a cylinder having a pison inouned therein, a spring,` associated Wifh the pison and adapted robe erred When producing` flight oic he toy, a dash-jo*b to control `the return of the piston o its norinal position after he roy has been pro-jeced, a rod for lche piston hai/'ing` a trip thereon, a catch ineans adapted to be released by said trip, and spring rieans controlled by said catch means and adaped to hold the parachue in inoperative position until released by said catch means, said spring means when released being` adaped to snap open and release the parachue.

8. In a toy projectile with a parachute,

mese@ inea-ns o hold 'he parachute folded against the toy, a spring-pressed plunger adaped to be grasped by a hand and retracted When the toy is projeced, dash-pot means to reard the spring` actuaed reurn of the plunger, and trip mechanism controlled by Jhe reurn of the plunger io release 'the parachue.

li. In a oy projectile with a parachuie, ineans co hold the parachue folded against the boy, a spring-pressed plunger adapted lo be grasped by a hand and retarded when the roy is projected, ineans at Jshe other end of the toy for ait-aching a projecting device thereto, dash-pot means to reard Jthe spring actuated return of the plunger, and Jurip mechanism controlled by the return of the plunger to release the parachute.

In testimony whereof I alix iny sig-gnature.

RICE-IARD M. FERRILL. 

